Israeli “Brain-in-a-Dish” Tech Revolutionizes Depression Treatment
The newest Israeli technology might just change your life. Israeli health tech startup Genetika+ is developing a groundbreaking method of helping people who struggle with depression. Because finding safe and effective antidepressants is such a challenge for many, Genetika+ uses just a sample of a person’s blood to create neurons and test various antidepressants on the individual. Their Nobel Prize-winning technology turns a blood sample into a “brain-in-a-dish” to securely test and determine the best antidepressants for each person and a list of side effects the person will likely experience.
Many patients need to experiment with several types of antidepressants, after which it takes six to eight weeks for that medication to start working. Ultimately, they could struggle with finding the right medication for a year or longer. Talia Cohen Solal, CEO and cofounder of Genetika+, says, “Once somebody actually gets the strength to go to a physician and say ‘Look, I need help,’ there’s this trial and error process where a patient has to try multiple drugs in their body, testing drug after drug and experiencing a ton of side effects. It’s just a guessing game until they get the right drug.” Thanks to Cohen Solal and cofounder Dr. Daphna Laifenfeld, Genetika+ will eliminate these risks with its advanced technology to treat depression most effectively. They plan to call the service NeuroKaire, which is planned to launch commercially in the US and Israel by the end of next year.
Three hundred million people suffer from depression globally. This new treatment could be a world-changing phenomenon that helps people safely treat depression and hopefully heal from it, and it’s all starting right in Israel. I’m constantly amazed by the advancements I hear about being developed in Israeli labs and tech companies. This one stands out because it’s not just a cool piece of tech for something like fashion or entertainment. It’s a medical breakthrough that could heal and save lives, and it does so in a way that feels like something out of a sci-fi movie. But it’s real, and it’s all thanks to the hard work of Israelis with a mission to help people who are suffering—a worthy goal for all of us.
